Cyprus National Strategy on Antimicrobial Resistance to Antibiotics.

This Cyprus National Strategy for the Treatment of Antibiotic Resistance to Antibiotics, in line with international efforts, aims to safeguard the availability of effective antimicrobial treatment for humans and animals. Primary goal: development and implementation of actions that will result in the reduction of the observed antibiotic resistance to antibiotics in Cyprus. Side goals: improving closely related parameters, such as: the frequency of infections related to the provision of health services; the use of antibiotics in veterinary and animal husbandry. The Strategy is based the following pillars: I. surveillance and recording; II. improving the diagnosis and use of antibiotics in humans and animals; III. strengthening infection control and prevention measures; IV. education and awareness raising; V. research. The Strategy defines and concerns the following relevant terms: antibiotics of critical importance to human medicine; infections associated with the provisions of health care services; zoonoses; use of antibiotics in: veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, food for human consumption, for spraying crops in agriculture.
Concerning the description of the current situation of the costs of antimicrobial resistance, this Strategy focuses on: the increase in gram-negative microorganisms that are resistant to newer antibiotics such as carbapenems; the prevalence of the use of antibiotics in hospitals; the impact of antimicrobial resistance on zoonotic bacteria; the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine. The Strategy also provides an evaluation of existing data, and focuses on guidelines and recommendations of the European Strategic Action Plan for Antimicrobial Resistance, including the One Health perspective.